GLIN==> Draft Lake Superior Aquatic Invasive Species Request for Comments

The Draft Lake Superior Aquatic Invasive Species Complete Prevention
Plan Request for Comments
We are soliciting comments on the draft Lake Superior Aquatic Invasive
Species Complete Prevention Plan, by February 26, 2010.

The Lake Superior Binational Program recognizes that aquatic invasive
species are one of the biggest threats to Lake Superior in terms of
negative ecological and economic impacts.  To address this critical
threat, the Lake Superior Binational Program developed a draft Aquatic
Invasive Species Complete Prevention Plan (Plan) for the lake.  The Plan
identifies the pathways aquatic invasive species use to enter and become
established in the lake.  Further, the Plan recommends prevention
actions that need to be newly implemented, in addition to existing
efforts, in order to close existing pathways on both sides of the border
and prevent new aquatic invasive species from entering  the Lake
Superior ecosystem.  The draft plan is available at:
http://epa.gov/glnpo/lakesuperior/ais_draft.html

A series of conference calls will be scheduled for February 2010.  On
these calls, the plan will be presented via a webcast, and comments will
be welcome.  In addition, a series of workshops will be held in the
spring and summer of 2010 to provide additional information and answer
questions.  Additional workshop details will be available in early 2010.

After the comment period closes on February 26, 2010, we will consider
all comments, revise the Plan accordingly, and finalize.  An
implementation plan will then be written and circulated which will help
relevant agencies and organizations incorporate prevention actions and
activities into their respective work plans. Much of the Plan’s focus is
on coordinating existing efforts that are part of already-approved
agency plans. We encourage implementation of actions in these approved
plans as funding becomes available to protect Lake Superior from new
aquatic invasive species.  We encourage you to apply for relevant
funding under the Invasive Species section of the Great Lakes
Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Request for Proposals found at
www.epa.gov/greatlakes.

You may submit any comments on the AIS Complete Prevention Plan by
February 26, 2010 -  http://epa.gov/glnpo/lakesuperior/ais_draft.html

Thank you for your interest in the Lake Superior Aquatic Invasive
Species Complete Prevention Plan.  If you have questions, you may
contact

Nancy Stadler-Salt (nancy.stadler-salt at ec.gc.ca) or
Elizabeth LaPlante (LaPlante.elizabeth at epa.gov).

Sincerely,
Nancy Stadler-Salt  Canadian Co-Chair Lake Superior Work Group
Elizabeth LaPlante  US Co-Chair Lake Superior Work Group